Based on an interview with
Dr. Art Jordan, Sports Medicine Specialist
McLeod Orthopaedics Florence

“An Orthopedic Sports Medicine Specialist sees a very wide range of injuries. We see anything from knee injuries to shoulder injuries,” says McLeod Sports Medicine Specialist Dr. Art Jordan. “If someone is an athlete, an injury can involve any joint you can imagine. We see all sports competitors, ranging from high school athletes to weekend warriors, who are going out trying to run marathons and triathlons.

“Our goal is to keep all these athletes as healthy as possible. We see a lot of youth with knee injuries, such as ACL and meniscus tears.  Concussions are very common among football players, soccer players and even volleyball players. As a result, I do a lot of concussion care.”

The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine says the most common athletic issues treated by Sports Medicine specialists are:

• Concussions
• Knee Injuries
• Sprains and Strains
• Rotator Cuff Injuries
• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Injury prevention
• Safe strength training and condition

Sports Medicine is only one of the specialties in Orthopedics.  Sports Medicine specialists focus on non-operative treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.

“Many orthopedic surgeons have broad training and years of experience in handling a wide range of orthopedic problems,” says Dr. Jordan. “Larger practices may have some surgeons, specializing in joint replacement, upper body (hands, wrist and shoulder) or lower body (feet, ankles). So, if one of my patients needs surgery, I can simply refer them to another specialist in my practice.”

ACTION YOU CAN TAKE
“I tell all my athlete patients that the most important way they can help in their care is to listen to their bodies,” notes Dr. Jordan. “If you’re having a severe amount of pain, maybe you need to see a doctor about it. When there’s something that you say, ‘Well, I’m a little sore from yesterday. I did a little bit more work. Maybe, I’ll give it a couple days to see if it improves’.”

Find an Orthopedic Specialist near you.

Sources Include: McLeod Health, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American Academy  of Orthopedic Surgeons